BCI approves sale of Today FM to EMAP

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today approved the proposed sale by EMAP to Communicorp of Today FM and Highland Radio, but has not approved the proposed sale of FM104 to Communicorp.

The board of the BCI considered the proposals at its meeting, today, following a request for further information after its previous meeting on September 3, 2007.

Having considered submissions received from EMAP on August 27 and September 24, the Commission was satisfied that Communicorp will not hold an undue amount of communications media in the franchise area of “the State” or the franchise area of Donegal (North) following completion of the proposed transactions. As all other elements of these transactions were deemed satisfactory at the Commission’s meeting on September 3, the acquisition of both Today FM and Highland Radio were approved.

With regard to the proposed acquisition of FM 104, the Commission also considered the applicant’s submissions of August 27 and September 24. On the basis of the material submitted, the Commission was not satisfied that Communicorp would not hold an undue amount of the communications media in the Dublin City and County franchise area following completion of this transaction.

The Commission did not grant approval to the proposed acquisition.